Want to know how to travel in style, just like the pros? We check in with frequent fliers to find out how often they fly, their favorite destinations and what they never leave home without.
Name: Alyssa Ramos
Occupation: Travel Writer
Hometown: Jupiter, FL
Residence: West Hollywood, California
College: Florida State University
College major:Biology (pre-Veterinarian)
Website: MyLifesAMovie.com
Twitter: @alyssaramos
Facebook: My Life’s A Movie
Pinterest: Alyssa Ramos
Google+: Alyssa Ramos
Instagram: mylifesatravelmovie
YouTube: Alyssa Ramos
Short bio: Alyssa turned her love of traveling and passion for writing into a career after accidentally moving to LA a few years ago. She has been to 31 countries and 6 continents and enjoys discovering places that are on the road less traveled, and have interesting cultures. She also loves a good adventure, and engaging with locals via social media for inside tips and information. Sharing good stories, useful information, and inspiration for others to travel is what she aims to do with her writing, and isn’t mad if she can ignite a few laughs while she’s at it. Alyssa is also the founder of a charity called HeartSleeves.org, which raises money to send specific items that she learns are in need in the places she travels to.
How often do you fly? 2-5 times per month.
How many countries have you been to? 31
How many continents have you been to? 6
Earliest travel memory: New York City, age 6
Favorite American city: West Hollywood/LA.
Favorite international city: Barcelona, Spain.
Least favorite country: None.
I have no desire to go to: Kansas? I’m not really sure, I feel like I can’t judge my desire to go somewhere until I’ve actually gone there.
Friendliest people in the world: Bondi Beach, Australia or anywhere in the Bahamas.
Country with the meanest immigration officers: USA…I always get bag-checked when I return from traveling solo because apparently I fit the criteria for a drug mule…
Favorite World Heritage Site: Galapagos Islands.
Favorite airline: US—Virgin America; Int’l—Emirates or Virgin Atlantic.
Favorite aircraft type: Private jet? Just kidding…Airbus.
Aisle or window: Window so people can’t read over my shoulder when I write.
Favorite airport lounge: Anything with Wi-Fi, electrical outlets, and a decent Chardonnay.
Favorite U.S. airport: LAX because I’m biased, but Burbank because it’s the easiest and most hassle-free.
Favorite international airport: Abu Dhabi’s airport is definitely the most extravagant and impressive…I really felt like I was in another country without even leaving the airport. BUT Kuala Lumpar and Honolulu have living rainforests inside of their airports so I’d have to say it’s a tie.
Favorite hotel: Anthony’s Key Resort in Roatan, Honduras.
Favorite cruise line: Norwegian.
Favorite travel credit card: Virgin America Visa at the moment but looking to add one with more airline options.
Favorite island: Cuba!
Favorite beach: Varadero Beach, Cuba.
Favorite fancy restaurant: The Circle at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach for brunch.
Favorite hole-in-the-wall: Omi Sushi in West Hollywood.
Favorite bar: Ooohh but there’s so mannyyy! Pearl’s in West Hollywood, Venice Ale House in Venice Beach, Guanabanas in Jupiter, FL…
Favorite fruit: Mango.
Favorite food: Penne alla Vodka, cheese and pizza.
Least favorite food: Meat. (I’m a vegetarian.)
Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): Chardonnay and chardonnay.
Favorite travel movie(s): Midnight in Paris, Fool’s Gold, Jumper.
Favorite travel show(s): Anthony Bourdain.
Favorite travel book(s): “1000 Places to See Before You Die.”
Right now I am reading: Blog post edits, wish I had more time to read!
Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: Conde Naste Traveler, Road Warrior Voices (USA Today), The Blonde Abroad.
Favorite travel website(s)—besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! I was going to say JohnnyJet.com! Lee Abbamonte‘s site is also pretty awesome, and Steph Be‘s TravelBreak.net.
5 things you bring on a plane: Macbook Air, chargers, Lysol wipes, notepad (for when I’m not allowed using electronics during take off and landing), business cards.
What do you always seem to forget? Snacks…I’m a picky eater but always hungry, so try to bring granola bars but always forget them.
What do you like least about travel? The time it takes to taxi into the airport and wait for the doors to open.
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? A tacky souvenir.
Favorite travel app(s): Kayak, HeyLets, WhatsApp.
Most embarrassing travel moment: Ha, also quite a few of these, but I’ll go with when I accidentally got locked in the Sydney Aquarium and had to set off the alarm to the emergency exit…
I’m embarrassed but I haven’t been to: Texas or Canada.
Worst travel moment: Ohhhh I have a few of these too…Flying Malaysia Airlines a week after the second plane crashed, getting locked in the Sydney Aquarium at night, having a layover in Honolulu from 12 am to 8 am and the airport was closed, getting food poisoning the night before my early flight home from Nicaragua.
What’s your dream destination? Antarctica for the 7th continent mission.
Favorite travel charity: Mine! HeartSleeves.org!
Best travel tip: You can always make more money, but you can’t buy more time, travel now and as much as possible!
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